Graphic recording is an emergent piece of theatre. It’s not about comprehension. There will be no pop quiz. It softens our listening by signalling a different space. Just listen, keep your mind open. Together, we’re creating something. It may not be perfect, but isn’t it great?
Read More‘Change’ designed to fit on a billboard is constrained by the size of a single billboard. We all know that. I’m not sure any of us would see that in the airport and think, “Right on! My organization needs to address child poverty / invent new energy / distribute more food / design the city of tomorrow. I’m going to book a call with ABC Consulting and get it done by next Tuesday!” But when we’re working towards long-game change, you’re going to be uncomfortable. Which is exactly how you’re supposed to feel, if the change is going to be real.
Read MoreOn one day, Otto Scharmer may be just the right thing to nudge people ahead. On another, we may pull out some Art of Hosting rules to make sure everyone’s listening openly, or we may map out a series of Agile-inspired sprints to get everyone’s sleeves rolled-up. None of the theories above are big enough to hold what we do. We use pieces of them all and are attached to none. Isn’t it freeing?
Read MoreA story goes that The Beatles felt they played their best music live, in front of an audience. That people listening is what made the music come alive. It’s the same for every art, every interaction, and every collaboration: the quality of listening you give will impact what people say and how well they say it.
Read MoreWhen we visualize well, we help the work of change leave the room. We make sure the progress, optimism, depth, and electricity of an intensive session is carried into an organization’s daily life. When we visualize change, we are smarter together as we move forward. Good visuals are a rallying cry.
Read MoreToday’s post is a collaboration with Lex Schroeder, who writes: “Having come up in the systems thinking and Art of Hosting communities, and having spent a great deal of time learning participatory leadership methods, I tell stories that reflect back a group’s learning. Without speaking for individuals or for the group as a whole, I try to catch the group’s collective intelligence and make visible new insights.”
Read MoreWhen multiple organizations come together with good intentions of sharing change, how do we open up and co-own new ways of working, sharing, and learning? In this video from the Malmö experience, Tim explores the state of being—and the leap of faith—essential to cross-sector, cross-organizational change.
Read MoreAt a working session on systems change last fall, Tim and Tuesday's opening remarks focused on how to show up. If we’re going to approach difference differently—in the interest of different (better!) results—how should we fend-off the shut-down of our automatic turf protection mode?
Read MoreHappy birthday to us Outsiders—from launch day in March 2018 to now, we’re into our second year of existence. Tim and I got together to reflect on such a big, challenging, and exciting year—one rich with expansion and travel, new movements and longtime colleagues.
Read More“How you’re capturing these conversations here is the way that my people have been capturing their history for thousands of years,” explained the elder. “Don’t ever think of it as a gimmick. You’re doing something important and sacred.” Stand up now, fellow bards. And keep standing.
Read MoreWhat would we say to a group of collaborators tasked with a new mandate and about to set out into that new territory? What’s most important to remember, especially given the certainty of facing difficult realities and doing things counter to ‘the way things have always been done’? For a primer and refresher in-one, watch the whole 20x20 presentation. Let’s keep stretching!
Read MoreHere’s more on why depth is such a primary actor on the stage of change, whether we’re embracing it or hiding from it: good change requires good vulnerability. If we embrace it, we all step forward. If we hide, our capacity dulls.
Read MoreChange is scary. It’s uncertain territory. Even when we think of ourselves as pretty open to change—even actively seeking it—we’re more skittish and territorial animals than we like to think. The good news: forging a way through stuckness is a skill and a self-awareness we can practice.
Read MoreWe imagine a fresh space in which we recognize and dodge familiar blocks, drawing exciting new ideas and voices to the surface. But somehow—even if we have an invigorating session or refreshed spell—we can’t seem to make the connections necessary for that moment put down the roots of a renewed phase. Here’s what’s missing: a map.
Read MoreIn Art of Hosting, there's no such thing as a hands-off host. If we are among any AoH cohort, we're constantly practicing how to host actively—to surface more voices that are often surprising, otherwise marginalized, and deeply valuable. In this excerpt of Tuesday Ryan-Hart's talk, we explore beyond the intention of equity to the practical implementation of it.
Read MoreAs a drama theorist, Augusto Boal’s work went way beyond theatre. He helped people find more new ways to switch on openness, both as individuals and as a collective. His work was surprising, shocking, and delightful for participants—and all of the above in how profoundly effective it’s proven to be as a pathway to optimism and action.
Read MoreIn our latest edition of INSIDE THE OUTSIDE, Tim and Tuesday answer the question: what do you do, anyway? We know it's systems change, but what does that work look like? After an incredible week of sessions, talks, and client meetings—particularly with visionary people seeking to reimagine the sport system in Nova Scotia—we recap to shed light on the process.
Read MoreThink of how kids play, learn, and integrate new information. As we explore and push the boundaries of what's familiar, we endure (and perpetrate!) countless bumps, scrapes, and meltdowns. This is the formative glue of long-term learning. Without challenging days, we’d lack the context to capitalize on our best days. And without a playful spirit, the most serious blocks might break our best efforts apart.
Read MoreThe BALLE fellowship is a cohort of rural-minded creative leaders who collaborate to act local, prioritize equity, regenerate nature, shift capital, co-create policy, and cultivate connection. Together with participants, the facilitation team rolls up our sleeves and shares our work once more.
Read MoreHow do we not mistake a bigger cage for freedom or transformation? How do we know it’s time for transformation? And how do we allow ourselves to liquify enough to do it? How do we hold multiple truths and still move forward together? You sought the future: How do we focus on what we have not yet even imagined?
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